As video production and streaming become a reality for churches of all sizes, the industry has seen a video camera convergence. From above, studio cameras have come down to offer broadcast-quality visuals at previously unheard-of price points. From below, advanced PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) cameras have risen out of video conference rooms and security systems to court the church market with unprecedented features and quality.
The CR-N500 is the least-expensive PTZ camera in its class with a full 1-inch CMOS sensor.
One example of the dramatic evolution in PTZ cameras is Canon's new 4K CR-N500 ($5,899 List Price). The CR-N500 is designed to blur the lines between studio and PTZ camera by offering smooth motion and no-compromise image quality in a remote-controllable package. More than just a scaled-up security cam, the CR-N500 stands a full 11 inches tall and has a large lens and sensor assembly. The CR-N500 won't blend in quite as readily as smaller PTZ cameras, but it is available in white and black to better match a church's decor.
Note the lens and sensor
A camera's lens and sensor are the two main factors in its image quality, and the CR-N500 delivers on both fronts. The CR-N500 is the least-expensive PTZ camera in its class with a full 1-inch CMOS sensor, which offers more than six times the surface area of the more common 0.4" sensor. Like a larger solar panel generating more power, a larger sensor captures more light to generate an image. This translates to lower noise, especially in low-light situations.
The CR-N500's lens offers 15x optical zoom, with a very respectable aperture (f-stop) range of f/2.8-f/4.5.
A larger sensor also requires a larger lens to pass more light and achieve a usable focal length (zoom) range. The CR-N500's lens offers 15x optical zoom, with a very respectable aperture (f-stop) range of f/2.8-f/4.5. The lower a lens' f-stop numbers, the wider the aperture and the better its low-light performance. Wider apertures also translate to a shallower depth of field, useful for throwing the background out of focus. Finally, the CR-N500's lens has a 9-bladed iris and three-level neutral density filter to achieve smoother out-of-focus background effects.
It's a tall order for a camera to capture a sharp, detailed subject while simultaneously rendering a pleasing out-of-focus background. This was one of the stated goals of the CR-N500, and the camera certainly achieves it. The detail of its 4K image is impressive, as is the smoothness of its out-of-focus areas. Setting the camera for a large aperture (engaging the ND filter, if needed) delivers video quality that looks—pardon the imprecise language—expensive.
On the move
Another design goal of the CR-N500 was to deliver the smoothest possible motion, courtesy of an advanced pan and tilt mechanism. The CR-N500 checks this box as well. Coupled with the Canon RC-IP100 controller ($2,199 List Price) and its proportional joystick, the CR-N500 moves with a fluid precision unlike any typical PTZ camera. With practice, a competent operator can track a subject or pan across the stage with a smoothness that comes very close to that of a tripod-mounted camera.
The CR-N500 has several autofocus (AF) modes to help keep your subject sharp, a task made more challenging by lower light and wider apertures.
A mid-frequency boost mode makes the AF less likely to be fooled by noise in a low-light image. Face recognition and face tracking AF modes prioritize the human face when the CR-N500 can detect one. This may sound gimmicky, but it works surprisingly well. When autofocus isn't cutting it, the RC-IP100 allows you to manually focus with a twist of the pan/tilt joystick. Add focusing on top of pan, tilt and zoom, however, and the CR-N500 operator has a lot to do. Choosing a position for the camera that minimizes focal distance changes (i.e., directly in front of the pulpit) may be best.
There isn't space in this review to cover all the outputs, interfaces, and settings on the CR-N500. Suffice to say it should integrate nicely with most any video system, from ultra-simple to very complex, thanks to its ethernet, WiFi, and RS-422 serial connection options. The RC-IP100 controller really unlocks the motion capabilities of the camera, making it a must-have for most applications. You can use a computer to configure and move the camera instead, but you'll lose the "smooth enough for live" motion of the joystick.
Coupled with the Canon RC-IP100 controller … and its proportional joystick, the CR-N500 moves with a fluid precision unlike any typical PTZ camera.
Thanks to its excellent image quality and smooth motion, the CR-N500 can find a home in churches both large and small. Have just one static camera for streaming? Replace it with the CR-N500 and controller, add a little motion to your stream, and your video will see an immediate increase in professionalism. Already have cameras, cranes, and dollies? Add the CR-N500 to the mix and your director will love having one more great-looking shot to choose from. Canon truly has a winner in the CR-N500.
- Canon
- CR-N500 4K PTZ Camera
- usa.canon.com
- $5,899 (List Price)
- Canon RC-IP100 Controller $2,199 (List Price)
